Re: Is it typical to feel this way with RA, or is this in my head? :)

[Guest guest]

I am tired all the time whether I take my enbrel shot or not. It is normal to

have the fatique and it will never fully go away. I can tell you that I have

had my hands hurt me all the time. My symptoms started in college, I'd drop

stuff all the time. and I can not hold a pen too long to even take my own notes

anymore. I have to take a computer with me in order to write anything down or

use one of those big happy fat pens. I am on my way back to college coming in

the fall and will be taking my laptop with me to take notes.

I hope things get easier for you. Be glad you have someone who can make you

laugh with the hard times. I am not as fortunate to have someone that can drive

for me. I do all the driving, my boyfriend is visually impaired(blind) but does

a good job taking care of me and my 2 young children. I do get support that

way. But without me driving he wouldn't fully function and would have to take

mass transit everywhere which is a pain in the state I live in. keep your chin

up and always think positive that things will get better.

[ ] Is it typical to feel this way with RA, or is this in my

head?

I sure am glad I found this board...I think I have needed this! It

looks like there is some wonderful support here. I hope it is alright

if I throw in a question... I've wondered about this for awhile and

wondered if I am normal, or what...

I was diagnosed with RA nearly 2 years ago by my general

practitioner. My blood work and symptoms screamed RA. At this time I

was so sick, and my legs so bad I could not walk at the time. After 2

weeks I could walk again, but I was still sick for many months. My

hands were so weak and painful I could do nothing with them. I could

not drive. Then I think I went into remission for several months. I

finally got into a Rhumatologist, who said, " No, you don't have RA.

Maybe it is tendonitis " . I was confused because all my blood work and

symptoms pointed to it, I did research on the internet, but I was

feeling okay, though my hands always ached and were stiff. I let it

go. Until I started not feeling well again. I went back to my doctor,

who did blood work again. We went on vacation, it was summertime

again, and I had a horrible flair where I could not walk for two

weeks again. I called the doctor, who told me my blood work all came

out positive for RA. This time she sent me to another Rhumatologist

who told me yes I had RA, and I had had it for several years.

So now I am on mtx injection 1x a week, hydroxychloriquin, and

Sulfasalzine, along with folic acid and calcium. I don't have such

sever flairs anymore, though I still have constant pain in my heels

and stabbing pain now in my ankles. But I can walk. Though, when

first standing it is hard to do if I have been sitting...that's

normal for all of us, isn't it? And only occasionally I can't drive.

(I have a teenage son who teases me about it... he can really make me

smile during the hard times. He is also the first to say, " don't

worry mom..I'll take care of it.) My hands are still always stiff, I

occasionally drop things. But things are much better now. I figure I

probably only have this mildly. So,

Why do I still feel mental and sometimes physical fatigue? I don't

feel like I can do the things I used to be able to do. Do any of you

ever feel this way... just tired? Isn't the physical fatigue supposed

to go away after awhile? I just feel...mentally drained. Is this

normal?

Thanks for any input...!

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10:48 AM

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Welcome to the board! You are right-everyone is so

caring, supportive, helpful, and informative here!

It's definitely not in your head! It was explained to

me that pain and fatigue go together. I also have

Fibromyalgia, which doesn't let me get the REM sleep

needed. Many of my medications also make me very

fatigued. I just deal with it by pacing myself and

resting whenever I get the opportunity! I am glad you

found the board! It's been a lifesaver for me:)

--- brendabennion <bennion8@...> wrote:

> I sure am glad I found this board...I think I have

> needed this! It

> looks like there is some wonderful support here. I

> hope it is alright

> if I throw in a question... I've wondered about this

> for awhile and

> wondered if I am normal, or what...

>

> I was diagnosed with RA nearly 2 years ago by my

> general

> practitioner. My blood work and symptoms screamed

> RA. At this time I

> was so sick, and my legs so bad I could not walk at

> the time. After 2

> weeks I could walk again, but I was still sick for

> many months. My

> hands were so weak and painful I could do nothing

> with them. I could

> not drive. Then I think I went into remission for

> several months. I

> finally got into a Rhumatologist, who said, " No, you

> don't have RA.

> Maybe it is tendonitis " . I was confused because all

> my blood work and

> symptoms pointed to it, I did research on the

> internet, but I was

> feeling okay, though my hands always ached and were

> stiff. I let it

> go. Until I started not feeling well again. I went

> back to my doctor,

> who did blood work again. We went on vacation, it

> was summertime

> again, and I had a horrible flair where I could not

> walk for two

> weeks again. I called the doctor, who told me my

> blood work all came

> out positive for RA. This time she sent me to

> another Rhumatologist

> who told me yes I had RA, and I had had it for

> several years.

>

> So now I am on mtx injection 1x a week,

> hydroxychloriquin, and

> Sulfasalzine, along with folic acid and calcium. I

> don't have such

> sever flairs anymore, though I still have constant

> pain in my heels

> and stabbing pain now in my ankles. But I can walk.

> Though, when

> first standing it is hard to do if I have been

> sitting...that's

> normal for all of us, isn't it? And only

> occasionally I can't drive.

> (I have a teenage son who teases me about it... he

> can really make me

> smile during the hard times. He is also the first to

> say, " don't

> worry mom..I'll take care of it.) My hands are still

> always stiff, I

> occasionally drop things. But things are much better

> now. I figure I

> probably only have this mildly. So,

>

> Why do I still feel mental and sometimes physical

> fatigue? I don't

> feel like I can do the things I used to be able to

> do. Do any of you

> ever feel this way... just tired? Isn't the physical

> fatigue supposed

> to go away after awhile? I just feel...mentally

> drained. Is this

> normal?

>

> Thanks for any input...!

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text5.com

[Guest guest]

i have pain in my ankles, heels, knees daily.....they said i have bone spurs

along with the RA and the AS. has anyone ever had spurs removed? does surgery

help? thanks rita

Re: [ ] Is it typical to feel this way with RA, or is this in

my head?

Hi !

Welcome to the board! You are right-everyone is so

caring, supportive, helpful, and informative here!

It's definitely not in your head! It was explained to

me that pain and fatigue go together. I also have

Fibromyalgia, which doesn't let me get the REM sleep

needed. Many of my medications also make me very

fatigued. I just deal with it by pacing myself and

resting whenever I get the opportunity! I am glad you

found the board! It's been a lifesaver for me:)

--- brendabennion <bennion8msn (DOT) com> wrote:

> I sure am glad I found this board...I think I have

> needed this! It

> looks like there is some wonderful support here. I

> hope it is alright

> if I throw in a question... I've wondered about this

> for awhile and

> wondered if I am normal, or what...

>

> I was diagnosed with RA nearly 2 years ago by my

> general

> practitioner. My blood work and symptoms screamed

> RA. At this time I

> was so sick, and my legs so bad I could not walk at

> the time. After 2

> weeks I could walk again, but I was still sick for

> many months. My

> hands were so weak and painful I could do nothing

> with them. I could

> not drive. Then I think I went into remission for

> several months. I

> finally got into a Rhumatologist, who said, " No, you

> don't have RA.

> Maybe it is tendonitis " . I was confused because all

> my blood work and

> symptoms pointed to it, I did research on the

> internet, but I was

> feeling okay, though my hands always ached and were

> stiff. I let it

> go. Until I started not feeling well again. I went

> back to my doctor,

> who did blood work again. We went on vacation, it

> was summertime

> again, and I had a horrible flair where I could not

> walk for two

> weeks again. I called the doctor, who told me my

> blood work all came

> out positive for RA. This time she sent me to

> another Rhumatologist

> who told me yes I had RA, and I had had it for

> several years.

>

> So now I am on mtx injection 1x a week,

> hydroxychloriquin, and

> Sulfasalzine, along with folic acid and calcium. I

> don't have such

> sever flairs anymore, though I still have constant

> pain in my heels

> and stabbing pain now in my ankles. But I can walk.

> Though, when

> first standing it is hard to do if I have been

> sitting...that' s

> normal for all of us, isn't it? And only

> occasionally I can't drive.

> (I have a teenage son who teases me about it... he

> can really make me

> smile during the hard times. He is also the first to

> say, " don't

> worry mom..I'll take care of it.) My hands are still

> always stiff, I

> occasionally drop things. But things are much better

> now. I figure I

> probably only have this mildly. So,

>

> Why do I still feel mental and sometimes physical

> fatigue? I don't

> feel like I can do the things I used to be able to

> do. Do any of you

> ever feel this way... just tired? Isn't the physical

> fatigue supposed

> to go away after awhile? I just feel...mentally

> drained. Is this

> normal?

>

> Thanks for any input...!

>

>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

You rock. That's why Blockbuster' s offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

http://tc.deals. / tc/blockbuster/ text5.com

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text5.com

[Guest guest]

,

I find that nothing is normal anymore? Heck half the time, I'm dazed

and confused! I feel as if I'm in a constant fog and every task

takes enormous amounts of effort. I still seem to get everything

done, but it takes me longer then it use too, and some days I try to

split into two...

I too have gained a major case of the dropsies... and my husband tends

to make jokes about it so that I don't feel so awful...

I have had bad pain in my heals for about a year now, and it is only

getting worse as time passes... My Doctor gave me Dr. Scholls

massaging gel heel cushions for sensitive heals... they've been a

great blessing!

If I don't use them, or try to walk barefoot, the pain is

unbearable... but with the cushions, I'm able to walk with minimum

discomfort and stand for slightly longer periods.

I hope this is able to help!

Bonnie R.

[Guest guest]

,

I wish I could tell you that the fatigue will eventually just go

away...but for me, it hasn't. I have had RA for 7 years and

fibromyalgia for about 6 years. It effects my hands and feet the

most. Some days, I can barely move my fingers and when I do, they

lock. The pain in my feet is not on my heel, but the ball of my

foot. You will still have occasional flares, even if you are on

medication...but you learn to rest when you need it and take

advantage of your " good " days. It's draining, mentally and

physically...sometimes just taking a shower takes all the energy that

I have. It is important to keep seeing your rheumatologist and

finding a good combination of medication that works for you.

Sometimes it's trial and error to see what works best.

It's important to have a support system and this web board is great.

We all know what it feels like to be in pain and tired all the time.

Take care.

--- In , " brendabennion " <bennion8@...>

wrote:

>

> I sure am glad I found this board...I think I have needed this! It

> looks like there is some wonderful support here. I hope it is

alright

> if I throw in a question... I've wondered about this for awhile and

> wondered if I am normal, or what...

>

> I was diagnosed with RA nearly 2 years ago by my general

> practitioner. My blood work and symptoms screamed RA. At this time

I

> was so sick, and my legs so bad I could not walk at the time. After

2

> weeks I could walk again, but I was still sick for many months. My

> hands were so weak and painful I could do nothing with them. I

could

> not drive. Then I think I went into remission for several months. I

> finally got into a Rhumatologist, who said, " No, you don't have RA.

> Maybe it is tendonitis " . I was confused because all my blood work

and

> symptoms pointed to it, I did research on the internet, but I was

> feeling okay, though my hands always ached and were stiff. I let it

> go. Until I started not feeling well again. I went back to my

doctor,

> who did blood work again. We went on vacation, it was summertime

> again, and I had a horrible flair where I could not walk for two

> weeks again. I called the doctor, who told me my blood work all

came

> out positive for RA. This time she sent me to another Rhumatologist

> who told me yes I had RA, and I had had it for several years.

>

> So now I am on mtx injection 1x a week, hydroxychloriquin, and

> Sulfasalzine, along with folic acid and calcium. I don't have such

> sever flairs anymore, though I still have constant pain in my heels

> and stabbing pain now in my ankles. But I can walk. Though, when

> first standing it is hard to do if I have been sitting...that's

> normal for all of us, isn't it? And only occasionally I can't

drive.

> (I have a teenage son who teases me about it... he can really make

me

> smile during the hard times. He is also the first to say, " don't

> worry mom..I'll take care of it.) My hands are still always stiff,

I

> occasionally drop things. But things are much better now. I figure

I

> probably only have this mildly. So,

>

> Why do I still feel mental and sometimes physical fatigue? I don't

> feel like I can do the things I used to be able to do. Do any of

you

> ever feel this way... just tired? Isn't the physical fatigue

supposed

> to go away after awhile? I just feel...mentally drained. Is this

> normal?

>

> Thanks for any input...!

>